You probably know how much gasoline is in your Corolla right now, but do you know how soon the oil tank needs a refill? Engine oil is every bit as important to your car’s operation as gasoline. It keeps all the parts of your engine moving smoothly instead of grinding each other to pieces. Without it, you’ll notice lower fuel mileage, reduced speed, and higher emissions… not to mention really expensive repair bills.

Luckily, as a small sedan, the 2011 Toyota Corolla’s engine oil capacity is easy to manage. Read on for a guide to what type of oil you need and how to refill the tank. With a little practice, you’ll be performing oil changes in your sleep!

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2011 Toyota Corolla engine oil capacity

You’ll need 5.8 quarts of engine oil to satisfy a 2011 Toyota Corolla with a 1.8L engine. If you have a 2.4L model, you’ll need 6.0 quarts.

It's important to keep in mind that engine displacement isn’t the same as oil tank capacity. The first, measured in liters, represents the amount of space the engine takes up under the car’s hood. The second, measured in quarts, represents the volume of the car’s oil tank.

Don't confuse the two—if you pour 1.8L of oil into a 2011 Toyota Corolla’s oil tank, you’ll have filled it less than halfway!

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What kind of oil does a 2011 Toyota Corolla need?

Check out the 2011 Toyota Corolla’s

owner’s manual

and you’ll see a recommendation for Genuine Toyota Motor Oil SAE 0W-20. If you can’t find any, SAE 5W-20 is also acceptable.

What do these labels mean? Let’s tackle the name “SAE 0W-20” in three parts:

SAE indicates the oil’s viscosity using the rating system set by the Society of Automotive Engineers. Viscosity, or thickness, is the most important aspect of engine oil. You need to ensure that you get the right thickness of oil for your truck's lowest and highest operating temperatures.

0W indicates the lowest temperature range at which the oil still performs its best. “W” stands for “winter” and “0” means a maximum cold operating temperature of -31°F, the “highest” cold rating.

20 indicates the highest temperature range at which the oil still performs its best. SAE 20 oil is commonly used in North America.

Toyota recommends using Genuine Toyota Motor Oil because it protects against corrosion, prevents foaming, and maintains lubrication… supposedly. It’s also made by Toyota and tends to be more expensive. If you’d prefer to look for a generic option, just make sure it follows the guidelines above.

You should also look for the API Certification Seal, which resembles a black starburst. Seals from the American Petroleum Institute certify that products meet performance standards. You'll get the most out of your truck if you follow these recommendations.

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How to change the oil in a 2011 Toyota Corolla

To perform an oil change on a 2011 Toyota Corolla, you’ll need a wrench, drain pan, and funnel. You’ll also need up to six quarts of the right oil and a new oil filter, if you plan on replacing the old one. Make sure to grab an old change of clothes and some rags, too—it’s really hard to

remove oil and grease from car doors

Once you’ve got all your stuff, here’s what to do:

Turn on the ignition and warm up the car for about five minutes.

Pop the hood and remove the oil filler cap, located in the upper left corner of the engine block.

Slide underneath the car and locate the drain plug. Put the drain pan underneath it and then pop the plug with the wrench, allowing the oil to drain until the tank is empty. Replace the plug.

Next, remove the old oil filter and rubber gasket. Install the new oil filter and get out from underneath the car.

Using the funnel, fill the oil tank. Replace the oil filler cap and check the oil level using a dipstick. The last step is to check for leaks by running the car for a few minutes.

How often do I have to change the oil in a 2011 Toyota Corolla?

Now that you know how to change the oil in your sedan, how often should you do it? Well, that depends on a few things:

If you want to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, change it every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.

If you’re using synthetic oil, change it every 7,500 to 10,000 miles.

If you’re not sure when you next need to change the oil, give it a check.

Regularly

checking your engine oil

is the best way to keep on top of your car’s needs. For example, you might need more oil sooner if you frequently drive at high speeds or commute in stop-and-go traffic. Put an oil check on your calendar once a month or take a look every time you refuel.

Here are some warning signs that you should change the oil right away:

Motor oil that is dirty, dark brown, or black

Oil that is coarse or gritty

Unusual engine noises

The smell of oil, smoke, or burning

Performance changes in your car

You can also make use of your Corolla’s low-oil-pressure warning system. It looks like a yellow lamp with oil dripping out the spout. When you see it illuminate on the left side of the instrument panel, it means the oil pressure is low—either you need to refill the oil tank or something’s wrong with the pump.

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